Satechi USB-C Dual Dock Stand Review: The Perfect Way to Add 9 Ports and Additional Storage to Your MacBook

When Apple removed most of the ports from their laptops, they caused the market for port replicators to explode. After all, while it’s true that WiFi and Bluetooth let many peripherals connect wirelessly, there are still times when you need to plug accessories in. The Satechi USB-C Dual Dock Stand covers adding additional ports to your MacBook, but it does much more.

The Problem: Our devices become more powerful and versatile as technology advances. With each new update or release, manufacturers are finding ways to offer sleeker designs that are smaller and lighter than ever. My 15″ MacBook Air is a great example. It is an incredibly lightweight, thin, and powerful laptop with a gorgeous screen.

Unfortunately, as was the case with the 13″ MacBook Air it replaced, it has just two USB-C ports. That’s one more than the 12″ MacBook I use when traveling, but it’s still not nearly enough.

If I’m using one USB-C port for charging (I don’t carry my MagSafe charging cable, so the USB-C port is frequently used to top the computer off), I’m left with a single port for connecting peripheries. That’s a problem.

Yes, it’s a first-world problem, but it is a problem nonetheless.

The Solution: To compensate for the lack of ports, I’ve used docking stations that run power to the laptop and add back many of the ports Apple removed as they were trying to create ever-thinner computers. Thankfully, countless docking stations and port replicators are now available, and many aren’t that expensive. It is an inelegant solution, but it works.

None of the docking stations I’ve used offer what the Satechi USB-C Dual Dock Stand provides, and, as a result, it has replaced the dock I’ve been using here at home for the past year. Let’s take a closer look.

The Satechi USB-C Dual Dock Stand is a silver aluminum and black plastic dock. Thanks to the choice of materials, it feels incredibly solid but is surprisingly light at just 15 ounces.

It has a 7.5-inch cable that ends in a dual USB-C plug designed to align perfectly with the two USB-C ports Apple uses with its current MacBook Air line. It also works well with my M1 MacBook Pro.

The Satechi USB-C Dual Dock Stand has a slight angle that rises toward the back. That, along with a small “lift” along the back of the dock’s surface, is enough to give you a slightly raised platform when a laptop is placed on it.

I was surprised by how slightly angling the laptop away from you positively impacts the typing ergonomics. Still, it is a significant improvement if you are typing for an extended period.

The Satechi USB-C Dual Dock Stand offers a bevy of ports to compensate for Apple’s minimalist approach. These include:

• One USB-C PD Pass-through Port with speeds up to 75W
• Two USB-C Data Ports (5Gbps and 10Gbps)
• Two HDMI 2.0 Port (4K/60Hz)
• One  DisplayPort 1.4 Port (4k/60Hz)
• Two USB-A Ports (5Gbps & 10Gbps)
• One Gigabit Ethernet Port

That’s a nice selection of speedy ports, and all are easily accessed along the back panel of the dock.

Expand Screen Capacity: With 1x DisplayPort and 2x HDMI Ports, you have flexible options for screen expansion at a high resolution of 4K/60Hz. The dual dock allows for up to two external monitors in extended mode, either through two HDMI Ports or one DisplayPort and one HDMI (must be the two farthest from each other).

It is worth noting that Apple’s MacBook Air line is still limited to one external monitor, but those using a MacBook Pro will be pleased with the dual HDMI and single DisplayPort!

It is also worth noting that, in addition to working with most MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros since 2019, the Satechi USB-C Dual Dock Stand is compatible with the Microsoft Surface Pro 9, Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, Lenovo Yoga 7i, Lenovo Yoga 6, Galaxy Book 3 Ultra and Dell XPS 15. Check the product page to confirm compatibility with your laptop.

The dual-USB-C cables arrive connected to one another and perfectly aligned for use with laptops like mine.

To increase the compatibility of the dock, Satechi designed an innovative collar that can be pulled back so the two cables are independent of one another; both must be plugged into a computer for the dock to function properly.

Most port replicators I have used were either dongles plugged into one of the USB-C ports that hung off the computer in a rather unsightly way or a stand-alone device connected to the computer via a longer cable.

The Satechi USB-C Dual Dock Stand takes a different approach, and by designing it to sit beneath the laptop and having all the ports running along the back, the dock disappears. The only indication that it is there is a dual-USB-C plug that connects the dock to the computer.

The dock even supplies 75W of power to the laptop!! (You’ll have to supply a powerful wall adapter, but those are readily available.)

However, the design has additional benefits. As the company explains,

Keeping It Cool: This versatile docking station stands out with its advanced ergonomic design built for a seamless user experience. The dual dock fits effortlessly underneath MacBooks with an elevated angle that provides an inclined view of the display.

The elevation allows for heat dissipation, thus allowing your device to perform better and more efficiently. The dual dock also includes vents to keep it cool while in heavy use.

So, the Satechi USB-C Dual Dock Stand is hidden from view. It elevates the laptop to increase its ergonomics. It powers the computer and adds numerous ports. And it has strategically placed vents so it stays cool even when under significant load.

What more could someone want from a laptop dock? How about abundant external storage? Well, the Satechi USB-C Dual Dock Stand has that covered, too, with its ability to support added memory in solid-state drives (SSD).

This means that you can now have the convenience of extra storage space for your device without sacrificing any of its original portA small door is on

On the bottom of the Satechi USB-C Dual Dock Stoor. Removing the cover reveals a SATA/NVMe SSD Port. Satechi includes a screwdriver to install storage, but you’ll have to supply your own solid-state drive. It takes just a few minutes to install the memory, and once you do, any time your laptop is plugged into the dock, you’ll have access to it.

If you use an NVMe SSD, you’ll see speeds up to 10Gbps, while a SATA SSD will provide up to 6Gbps.

But why would you need added memory when most devices already have large storage capacities? Well, for one, it allows you to have an external drive, which can be used for backup purposes or as a separate storage unit for specific files or projects.

This can be useful for professionals who deal with large files daily, such as photographers, videographers, or graphic designers.

Another benefit of adding memory is the ability to conserve storage space on your laptop. With many devices now offering smaller storage options (especially laptops), you may run out of space quickly.

Using the Satechi USB-C Dual Dock Stand, you can store less frequently used files on the added memory and free up space on your laptop for more important or frequently accessed files.

I picked up a 2TB SATA SSD for under $100 and tripled my laptop’s storage. I partitioned the drive and am using 2/3 of it for TimeMachine backups and the rest as additional storage. Obviously, you can use this external storage however you like.

Not only is the Satechi USB-C Dual Dock Stand practical and versatile, but it also helps keep your workspace neat and organized. Gone are the days of dongles hanging off your laptop and myriad cables snaking from it.

In short, the Satechi USB-C Dual Dock Stand not only offers a plethora of ports but also provides added memory for external storage and space conservation. It’s a great accessory for anyone who has bumped into issues with Apple’s meager port offerings and for professionals who need to connect multiple devices and deal with large files daily.

It offers all the ports you need, and with its added memory feature, you’ll never have to worry about running out of space again.

The Satechi USB-C Dual Dock Stand is a fantastic product that delivers on its promise to “elevate your setup and boost your computer’s performance.” I’m more than a bit impressed and think you will be. Check it out, and when you get yours, let us know what you think in the comments below.

The Satechi USB-C Dual Dock Stand sells for $149.99; it is available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including Amazon.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Clean lines that keep desks free from cable messes; Abundant ports that deliver highspeed connectivity; Powers laptop while adding ports; Raises laptop into more ergonomic position; Lets you expand storage with user-supplied SSD storage

What Needs Improvement: You need to supply the wall adapter for power and your own solid-state drive to expand memory